February 17th, 2010 by Phil Lythell

Ireland’s Jerry Flannery will play no further part in the 2010 RBS Six Nations Championship after he received a six-week ban for a challenge on France winger, Alexis Palisson.

The hooker made a wild hack at Palisson during Ireland’s 33-10 defeat at the Stade de France while the ball was in the Frenchman’s hand, presenting the disciplinary panel with no option other than to ban the player for an act more associated with the round ball than the oval ball.

Flannery was penalised at the time for his indiscretion though it was obvious that none of the officials got a clear view of the incident as – thanks to the microphone link to the man in the middle – the watching world could hear referee Wayne Barnes admonishing the Munster forward for a late shoulder charge rather than a kick.

The incident symbolised the Irish performance as a whole – positive work undone by ill-discipline and basic errors. Ireland had been awarded a penalty in the seconds before Flannery’s rush of blood only to see it reversed afterwards.

Ireland will need to pick themselves up after losing for the first time in 13 matches with the suspension of Flannery compounded by the almost certain short-term absence of Rob Kearney.

The British and Irish Lions full-back was having a typically inspired afternoon in Paris until he suffered medial ligament damage and was forced off the field, leaving a huge hole in both their defensive line and their counter-attacking capabilities

Declan Kidney’s team travel next to Twickenham to take on England. While the Red Rose is not exactly in full bloom at the moment, Martin Johnson has seen his men record two wins out of two and the 2003 world champions always provide stern opposition on their own patch.

Perhaps it is fortunate that there is a fortnight’s break to allow the dust to settle for both teams with England receiving much criticism for a lacklustre display in their 17-12 win over Italy.

Jonny Wilkinson had an uncharacteristically bad day at the office and while there were glimpses of the promised expansive running game from England, the propensity to kick the ball aimlessly undermined the dynamic threat of Matthew Tait, Rikki Flutey, Delon Armitage, Mark Cueto and Ugo Monye.

So there is much to ponder for both Kidney and Johnson before England and Ireland clash on 27^th February.

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